Hinge assembly

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly ( 70 ) and a tablet-notebook hybrid computer ( 10 ). The hinge assembly ( 70 ) comprises a hinge ( 40 ) for pivotably connecting a base member ( 20 ) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer ( 10 ) to a tablet member ( 30 ) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer ( 10 ); an actuator ( 51 ) fixed to the hinge ( 40 ); and a support member ( 50 ) pivotably connected to the tablet member ( 30 ) via a pivot shaft ( 52 ). When the tablet member ( 30 ) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member ( 20 ), the support member ( 50 ) is actuated by the actuator ( 51 ), rotates away from the tablet member ( 30 ), and provides addition support for the tablet member ( 30 ).

BACKGROUND

There are some laptop or notebook computers that emulate the function of a tablet computer, which are also referred to as tablet-notebook hybrid computers. These tablet-notebook hybrid computers are equipped with a touch screen display member that rotates with respect to a keyboard member with the touch screen display member facing outward for use as a tablet. In these tablet-notebook hybrid computers configurations, the essential hardware of the computer, including the processor, memory, and battery, is housed in the keyboard member (also referred to as base member) of the notebook computer. The touch screen display member (also referred to as tablet member) is hinged to the keyboard member, so that the touch screen display member can rotates with respect to the keyboard member between an open position and a closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Examples of the present disclosure are described in the following description with reference to the figures. In the figures, identical and similar structures, elements or parts thereof are labeled with the same or similar references. Referring to the attached figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein a tablet member is located in an open position with respect to a base member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the tablet member is located in a closed position with respect to the base member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the tablet member is located in the closed position with respect to the base member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the tablet member is located in the open position with respect to the base member.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the tablet member is located in the closed position with respect to the base member.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the tablet member is located in the open position with respect to the base member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “leading”, “trailing”, “transverse” etc., are used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. Because components of various examples disclosed herein can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be limiting. It is also to be understood that the examples illustrated in the drawings, and the specific language used herein to describe the same are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein are to be considered to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

In the existing tablet-notebook hybrid computers comprising a base member and a tablet member, since the tablet member is heavier than traditional LCD, the tablet member may not be very steadily held at the open position when the tablet member is at an open position with respect to the base member. If the open angle is large, for example, greater than 90 degrees, the tablet-notebook hybrid computers will be easy to tip over. In addition, for a touch application, if its tablet member (i.e., LCD member) is slightly touched or contacted by a finger of a user, the tablet-notebook hybrid computers will be unstable.

According to an example of the disclosure, a hinge assembly for a tablet-notebook hybrid computer is provided, comprising: a hinge for pivotably connecting a base member of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer to a tablet member of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer; an actuator fixed to the hinge; and a support member pivotably connected to the tablet member via a pivot shaft. When the tablet member rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member, the support member is actuated by the actuator, rotates away from the tablet member, and provides addition support for the tablet member.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein a tablet member 30 is located in an open position with respect to a base member 20. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the tablet member 30 is located in a closed position with respect to the base member 20.

In an example, a tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 includes a base member 20 and a tablet member 30. In an example, the tablet member 30 of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 is hinged to the base member 20 of tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 by one or more center hinges 40, so that the tablet member 30 can be pivoted to a closed position with respect to the base member 20 to close tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10, and can be pivoted towards an open position away from the base member 20 to open the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10.

In an example, the tablet member 30 of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 is hinged to the base member 20 of tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 by a hinge assembly 70 (as shown in FIGS. 3-6).

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views of the hinge assembly 70 for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are cross-sectional views of the hinge assembly 70 for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 according to an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 show the tablet member is located in the closed position with respect to the base member. FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 show the tablet member is located in the open position with respect to the base member.

In an example, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, the hinge assembly 70 comprises a hinge 40 for pivotably connecting the base member 20 of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10 to the tablet member 30 of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer 10. The hinge assembly 70 further comprises an actuator 51 fixed to the hinge 40 and a support member 50 pivotably connected to the tablet member 30 via a pivot shaft 52. In an example, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, the actuator 51 is a cam. The cam includes a cam lobe 54 which contacts and actuates the support member 50 when the tablet member 30 rotates with respect to the base member 20.

When the tablet member 30 rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member 20, the support member 50 is actuated by the cam lobe 54 of the cam, rotates away from the tablet member 30, and provides addition support for the tablet member 30. Thus, the tablet-notebook hybrid computers 10 will not tip over. In addition, for a touch application, if the tablet member 30 is slightly touched or contacted by a finger of a user, the tablet-notebook hybrid computers 10 will be stable.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the support member 50 has a first end pivotably connected to the tablet member 30 and a free second end, the second end of the support member 50 includes a foot 53 so as to support the tablet member 30. When the tablet member 30 rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member 20, the cam contacts with a midportion between the first end and the second end, so that the second end (and the foot 53) rotates away from the tablet member 30 and rests on the table so as to support the tablet member 30.

It should be noted that, although FIGS. 3-6 show that the cam and the support member 30 are located on the right end of the hinge 40, the cam and the support member 30 can be located at any position on the hinge 40, for example, left end of the hinge 40 and any middle position between the right end and the left end of the hinge 40. In addition, although FIGS. 3-6 show that the hinge assembly 70 includes one cam and one support member 30, the hinge assembly 70 can include two or more cams and two or more support members 30.

The hinge assembly 70 further comprises a spring 60 fit over the pivot shaft 31, for biasing the support member 50 back when the tablet member 30 rotates to the closed position with respect to the base member 20.

Having described an example of the hinge assembly for the tablet-notebook hybrid computer of the present disclosure, and in particular the hinge assembly by which the tablet member of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer can be stable and will not tip over, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be modified in both arrangement and detail.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hinge assembly (70) for a tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10), comprising: a hinge (40) for pivotably connecting a base member (20) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) to a tablet member (30) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10); an actuator (51) fixed to the hinge (40); and a support member (50) pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) via a pivot shaft (52), when the tablet member (30) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member (20), the support member (50) is actuated by the actuator (51), rotates away from the tablet member (30), and provides additional support for the tablet member (30), wherein the support member (50) has a first end pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) and a free second end, and wherein the additional support is provided by a foot (53) of the free second end and the support member (50) is separate from the base member (20).
 2. The hinge assembly (70) of claim 1, wherein the actuator (51) is a cam.
 3. The hinge assembly (70) of claim 2, wherein the cam includes a cam lobe (54) which contacts and actuates the support member (50) when the tablet member (30) rotates with respect to the base member (20).
 4. The hinge assembly (70) of claim 3, wherein when the tablet member (30) rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member (20), the cam contacts with a midportion between the first end and the free second end, so that the free second end rotates away from the tablet member (30) and rests on a surface so as to support the tablet member (30).
 5. The hinge assembly (70) of claim 4, further comprising a spring (60) fit over the pivot shaft (31), for biasing the support member (50) back when the tablet member (30) rotates to the closed position with respect to the base member (20).
 6. A tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10), comprising: a base member (20); a tablet member (30); and a hinge assembly (70), the hinge assembly (70) comprising: a hinge (40) for pivotably connecting the base member (20) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) to the tablet member (30) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10); an actuator (51) fixed to the hinge (40); and a support member (50) pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) via a pivot shaft (52), when the tablet member (30) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member (20), the support member (50) is actuated by the actuator (51), rotates away from the tablet member (30), and provides additional support for the tablet member (30), wherein the support member (50) has a first end pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) and a free second end, and wherein the additional support is provided by a foot (53) of the free second end and the support member (50) is separate from the base member (20).
 7. The tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) of claim 6, wherein the actuator (51) is a cam.
 8. The tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) of claim 7 wherein the cam includes a cam lobe (54) which contacts and actuates the support member (50) when the tablet member (30) rotates with respect to the base member (20).
 9. The tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) of claim 8, wherein when the tablet member (30) rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member (20), the cam contacts with a midportion between the first end and the free second end, so that the free second end rotates away from the tablet member (30) and rests on a surface so as to support the tablet member (30).
 10. The tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) of claim 9, wherein the hinge assembly (70) further comprises a spring (60) fit over the pivot shaft (31), for biasing the support member (50) back when the tablet member (30) rotates to the closed position with respect to the base member (20).
 11. A tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10), comprising: a base member (20); a tablet member (30); and a hinge assembly (70), the hinge assembly (70) comprising: a hinge (40) for pivotably connecting the base member (20) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) to the tablet member (30) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10); an actuator (51) fixed to the hinge (40); and a support member (50) pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) via a pivot shaft (52), when the tablet member (30) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member (20), the support member (50) is actuated by the actuator (51), rotates away from the tablet member (30), and provides additional support for the tablet member (30), wherein the support member (50) has a first end pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) and a free second end, and wherein the additional support is provided by a foot (53) of the free second end; and wherein the actuator is a cam having a cam lobe (54) which contacts and actuates the support member (50) when the tablet member (30) rotates with respect to the base member (20).
 12. The tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) of claim 11, wherein when the tablet member (30) rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member (20), the cam contacts with a midportion between the first end and the free second end, so that the free second end rotates away and downward from the tablet member (30) so as to support the tablet member (30). 